BBWAA VOTERS’ MESSAGE TO THE PLAYERS SIMPLE: DON’T CHEAT
WHIFF!

Others contend that all of the Steroid Era front men, including McGwire and Sosa, should be in the Hall of Fame — just with the PED information on their plaques — or else an entire generation vanishes from Cooperstown. Well … who cares if it vanishes? History is riddled with black spots and regrettable periods. It doesn’t mean people will forget about the steroid age, it just means its abusers won’t be enshrined

As is the case with cops, or lawyers, or teachers, or journalists, baseball has both its sinful and virtuous. And while suspicion will always shroud great players from the PED era, they cannot be recklessly condemned.

Before casting their ballots, writers are supposed to look at a player’s record, playing ability, integrity, sportsmanship, character and contributions to the team(s) on which he played.